Nine former presidents from Latin America and Spain, representing The Initiative for Democratic Development in Spain and the Americas (IDEA), are set to accompany Edmundo González Urrutia, Venezuela's opposition leader as he plans to return to Caracas and assume the presidency on January 10.
The announcement was made by former Colombian President Andrés Pastrana who will travel to Venezuela along with Felipe Calderón of Mexico, Jorge Quiroga of Bolivia, Laura Chinchilla of Costa Rica, and two former Panamanian leaders, Ernesto Pérez Valladares and Mireya Moscoso.
"The idea is to accompany Edmundo, the legitimately elected president of Venezuela," Pastrana told CNN. "We have been supporting him since the beginning of this process to consolidate democracy in that country. Pastrana also emphasized IDEA's commitment to defending democracy across the region and confirmed a series of preparatory meetings in Panama and the Dominican Republic ahead of their planned trip to Venezuela.
Several of the same presidents that are planning on traveling with González Urrutia were also part of another coalition sent by IDEA to Venezuela back in July to observe the presidential elections. However, they were denied access to the country as were international observers from Colombia, Spain and Chile.Maduro's government has labeled foreign figures accompanying González as "invaders," escalating hostilities against opposition figures.
Nicolás Maduro ended up claiming victory, but the development has been widely questioned by the country's opposition and the international community at large given the lack of supporting documentation. The U.S. and several Latin American countries have recognized Gonzalez Urrutia as the rightful winner.
The new development occurs amid escalating tensions in Venezuela as the president of the Venezuela's National Assembly and Chavista strongman Jorge Rodríguez has labeled foreign figures accompanying González as "invaders," escalating hostilities against opposition figures.
Venezuelan authorities have also threatened González with immediate arrest upon his return, accusing him of treason, money laundering, and usurpation of functions. A reward of $100,000 has been issued for his capture, underscoring the heightened risks González faces. Gonzalez, in fact, denounced that his son in law was abducted.
González Urrutia met with U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday, underscoring the United States' bipartisan support for González's campaign to reclaim the presidency, with his team also engaging with President-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration.
Meanwhile, opposition leader María Corina Machado, speaking from clandestinity, continues to mobilize support for González. She has called for mass protests on January 10, urging citizens to demand democratic change. Machado also appealed to the military, emphasizing their constitutional duty to uphold the will of the people, as international observers corroborated González's electoral victory.
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